US senate votes to end Trump’s border emergency declaration

Washington, Mar 15: The US Senate passed a resolution on Thursday to overturn President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, setting the stage for the first veto of his presidency.

The measure passed with a 59-41 vote, but will now head to Trump's desk, where he is expected to veto it, The Washington post reported.

This is also the first time Congress acted against a national emergency declaration since the National Emergencies Act was enacted in 1976.

Moment after the vote, Trump tweeted "VETO!" A short while later he added, “I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country. I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!”

Following such a move, the legislation would then return to Congress, where two-thirds of lawmakers from each chamber would have to vote in favor of the resolution to override Trump's veto.

On February 27, the House passed the resolution with a 245-182 vote.

Trump declared a national emergency last month to free up $8 billion in federal funding to build a wall on the southern border, US-Mexico border, where the administration claims there is a humanitarian crisis. The president has said the border is needed to prevent criminals and terrorists from pouring into the United States. UNI